Most of the Belize Mennonite community is traditional and conservative and their main economic activity is agriculture. They have become the head suppliers of fruits and vegetables for the Belizean population. Farmers travel through various neighborhoods in trucks, which are known as street markets. Their work in agriculture has been criticized for not being friendly to the environment, however the UN contradicts this criterion.
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Gran parte de la comunidad de menonitas de Belice es tradicional y conservadora. Su principal actividad económica es la agricultura, han llegado a ser los proveedores principales de frutas y vegetales para la población beliceña. Recorren diversos barrios en camiones, los que son conocidos como mercados ambulantes. Su trabajo en agricultura ha sido criticado por no ser amigable con el medioambiente, sin embargo la ONU contradice este criterio.
Tungurahua, Ecuador.
The Diablada de Píllaro, or fest of the devils, is organized by the communities around the small town of Píllaro, a city characterized by large Andean indigenous villages where the devil masks are made. The Diablos de Píllaro are the popular characters of this party, they wear special red costumes, and elaborated masks with animal´s horns and teeth. Masks are painted with several colors highlighting the black and red. This festivity is celebrated each January during 3 days.
Each group of devils with their respective village band walks from the rural hamlets at noon to the center of Píllaro, must dance two laps around the central park, after that they go to the place of rest.
Quito, Ecuador
Jesús del Gran Poder refers to a wooden sculpture from the 17th century that has become a symbol of faith to thousands of citizens in Quito, many of whom have accompanied the figure year after year during the grand procession that takes place on Good Friday in the historic center of the city. The entire route is approximately 5 kilometers long. Many of the penitents walk the route barefoot, some dragging heavy metal chains or wrapped in barbed wire, others carrying heavy loads, and some others attempt to shoulder Christ’s cross as penance for their committed sins.
Dressed in dark purple robes with coned hoods, are the Cucuruchos, who exit the church first. Several different versions of Christ carrying the cross, accompanied by Roman Soldiers, also join the procession. Towards the end are the Verónicas, women dressed in purple dresses with purple veils.
(Text by Angie Drake)